About the Challenge

Buy experiences, not things. Spending on experiences makes people happier than spending on things. Things get broken and go out of style. Experiences get better every time you talk about them.

— Jean Chatzky, USA TODAY

Few things sum up the spirit of the Mason Jar Vacation Challenge better than the quote above. It's true - when we reflect back on life, our best memories come when we move outside of our normal day-to-day and spend time enjoying the people, places, and activities that bring us the greatest happiness.

This challenge, should you decide to take it, will help you create lifelong memories that you'll treasure and talk about for many years to come. The idea is simple - add some time away by saving a little bit to start and a little more each week until you've finished the challenge. When you're ready to put a little more joy into your life, click the button below to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers. Please take a moment to skim through, and if you have a question that isn't answered here, please send it to us at masonjarvacationchallenge@gmail.com or by using our contact page.

Q. What is the Mason Jar Vacation Challenge?

A. The Mason Jar Vacation Challenge is a 52-week challenge that will help you save $1,378 to add an extra vacation to your life each year.

Q. How does the Mason Jar Vacation Challenge work?

A. You start the challenge by saving one dollar and increase your weekly savings rate by another dollar each week. So, in Week 2, you'll save $2; Week 15, you'll save $15; and eventually in Week 52, you'll save $52. Add it up, and you finish with $1,378 - more than enough to pay for an unforgettable vacation experience.

Q. Where am I going to find $1,378?

A. You'll see that when you have a meaningful goal - like creating lifelong memories - you can find more than enough money to finish the challenge. When you sign up for the Mason Jar Vacation Challenge, we'll send you an email each week that includes a simple, easy way to save money to meet your challenge goals.

Q. Am I going to be miserable trying to save money?

A. HELL NO!!! This challenge is designed to be fun - and misery is specifically prohibited. Seriously, this challenge is designed to show you how you can save a serious sum of money by making the smallest of changes to your spending. Week by week, you'll find more and more ways to painlessly save money.

Q. Do I have to use a budget?

A. No. You don't need to create a budget to make this work. Sure, budgets are super neat, but this challenge is all about simple and easy.

Q. Where do I put the money I save?

A. Most of our challenge participants save cold, hard cash OR use an online savings account. Saving cash is as simple as dropping it into a mason jar. Saving online is simple too, as you can transfer your savings to your account. Online savings accounts are preferred to traditional brick and mortar bank savings accounts because they typically have zero fees and no minimum balance - plus, it takes more time to withdraw (1-3 business days) and that'll keep you from spending your hard-earned savings:-)

Q. What happens when I sign up to get started?

A. After you sign up to get started, you'll receive one email each week that contains your weekly savings goal and a simple, easy way to save money. This will continue throughout the year-long challenge. Also, be sure to confirm your sign-up by clicking the confirmation email.

Q. Can I unsubscribe?

A. Yes. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the 'Unsubscribe' link contained in every email.

Q. Can I save more than the weekly goal?

A. Yes. The end goal is what matters most. $1,378 doesn't fall from the sky, and it takes time to get there. Weekly goals are designed to keep you on track, but saving ahead is always a good idea.

Q. What if I fall behind? Can I restart the challenge?

A. Sometimes life happens, and you'll fall behind. At that point, you have two choices - (1) try to catch up or (2) restart the challenge. If you can reasonably catch up, do that. If not, restart from the beginning by unsubscribing from the current challenge emails then signing up fresh on our get started page. Often, the second time around is much easier.

Q. Do I have to use the money for vacation?

A. No. This challenge is built with vacation in mind, but money is money. You can use it however you like. For example, one couple that completed the challenge used the money to install new flooring in their home. Your money, your choice.

Q. Will $1,378 really cover the cost of an unforgettable vacation?

A. That's up to you. When you consider your favorite vacation experiences from years past, what were the best parts? More than likely, it was people - family, friends, random strangers. What matters most are (1) getting away from your norm and (2) spending that time with people that matter. Beyond that, it's just icing on the cake.